ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic GraftLink technique reconstruction combined with suture anchor fixation in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and medial collateral ligament (MCL) grade Ⅲ injury.MethodsBetween June 2015 and February 2018, 28 patients with ACL rupture and MCL grade Ⅲ injury were treated. Arthroscopic GraftLink technique was used to reconstruct ACL with autologous peroneus longus tendon (PLT), and suture anchor fixation was used to repair MCL. There were 22 males and 6 females, aged 21-47 years, with an average age of 30.4 years. The cause of injury included traffic accident in 18 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and sports injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to admission was 1-2 weeks, with an average of 1.3 weeks. The preoperative Lysholm score of knee joint was 46.8±3.0 and the International Knee Documentation Commission (IKDC) score was 49.2±2.7. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score of ankle joint was 98.29±0.72. Both Lachman test and valgus stress test were positive. There were 8 cases of meniscus injury and 2 cases of cartilage injury.ResultsThe operation time ranged from 55 to 90 minutes, with an average of 72.5 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complications related to operation occurred. All patients were followed up 6-38 months, with an average of 20.7 months. At 3 months after operation, the range of motion of the knee joint was 116- 132°, with an average of 122°. Lachman test showed that the anterior translation more than 5 mm in 2 cases, and the others were negative; while the valgus stress test showed that all patients were positive. At 6 months after operation, the Lysholm score and IKDC score of knee joint were 90.2±1.8 and 93.5±2.3, respectively, which were significantly higher than preoperative scores (t=31.60, P=0.00; t=29.91, P=0.01); AOFAS score of ankle joint was 97.86±0.68, with no significant difference compared with preoperative score (t=2.89, P=0.08). KT-1000 test showed that the difference of anterior relaxation between bilateral knee joints was less than 2 mm in 25 cases and 3 to 5 mm in 3 cases.ConclusionThe method of ACL reconstruction via arthroscopic GraftLink technique with PLT and MCL repair via suture anchor fixation has the advantages of less knee injury and faster recovery, and there is no significant impact on ankle function after tendon removal.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction via transtibial (TT) and transportal (TP) techniques after 10 years follow-up. Methods A clinical data of 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with a single bundle of autologous hamstring tendon between March 2006 and March 2009 was retrospectively analyzed, among which 57 patients were reconstructed with TT technique (TT group) and 46 patients were reconstructed with TP technique (TP group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, interval between injury and operation, preoperative pivot shift test, preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and KT-2000 side-to-side difference (SSD) between the two groups (P>0.05). At 10 years after operation, Lachman test was used to evaluate the forward joint stability and pivot shift test to evaluate the rotational stability of the knee; KT-2000 SSD was used to measure tibial anterior displacement; IKDC score and Lysholm score were used to evaluate knee function; MRI examination was performed to observe graft healing and measure coronal inclination angles of the tibia and femoral tunnels. The rate of return to sports was also calculated. Results The incisions healed by first intention in the two groups, and no early complication occurred after operation. All patients were followed up 10-13 years, with an average of 11.5 years. During the follow-up period, there was no limitation of knee extension and flexion, no discomfort of donor site or graft failure in either group. MRI examination showed that the graft healed well. The IKDC score, Lysholm score, and KT-2000 SSD in the two groups were significantly improved after 10 years (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 10 years after operation (P>0.05). There were significant differences in coronal inclination angles of femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Lachman test and pivot shift test between the two groups (P>0.05). The rate of return to sports of patients was 61.40% (35/57) in TT group and 63.04% (29/46) in TP group, showing no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.29, P=0.87). Conclusion TT and TP techniques can both achieve good effectiveness in ACL reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of suture augmentation (SA) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsA comprehensive review of recent literature about SA in ACL reconstruction at home and abroad was conducted. The efficacy of SA in ACL reconstruction was evaluated by examining the definition, biomechanics, and histological studies of SA, along with its clinical application status in ACL reconstruction. ResultsSA demonstrates significant advantages in enhancing the biomechanical stability of ACL grafts, reducing the risk of re-rupture, and accelerating postoperative recovery. Specifically, SA improves graft stiffness, ultimate failure strength, and cyclic stability, thereby diminishing the risk of early postoperative failure and joint instability. Histologically, it fosters remodeling and tendon-bone integration through early load-sharing mechanisms; however, stress shielding may interfere with natural remodeling processes, warranting further attention. Clinically, SA reduces graft failure rates and the need for revision surgeries, markedly improving knee joint stability and functional recovery in young patients. Nevertheless, its impact on graft maturation and potential complications remains controversial. ConclusionDespite the many advantages of SA in ACL reconstruction, future endeavors should focus on optimizing tensioning techniques, developing bioactive materials, and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials to further elucidate its clinical value and scope of applicability, providing a more reliable solution for ACL reconstruction.
Objective To investigate the effect of Kartogenin (KGN) combined with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. Methods After the primary ADSCs were cultured by passaging, the 3rd generation cells were cultured with 10 μmol/L KGN solution for 72 hours. The supernatant of KGN-ADSCs was harvested and mixed with fibrin glue at a ratio of 1∶1; the 3rd generation ADSCs were mixed with fibrin glue as a control. Eighty adult New Zealand white rabbits were taken and randomly divided into 4 groups: saline group (group A), ADSCs group (group B), KGN-ADSCs group (group C), and sham-operated group (group D). After the ACL reconstruction model was prepared in groups A-C, the saline, the mixture of ADSCs and fibrin glue, and the mixture of supernatant of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue were injected into the tendon-bone interface and tendon gap, respectively. ACL was only exposed without other treatment in group D. The general conditions of the animals were observed after operation. At 6 and 12 weeks, the tendon-bone interface tissues and ACL specimens were taken and the tendon-bone healing was observed by HE staining, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL apoptosis assay. The fibroblasts were counted, and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and apoptosis index (AI) were measured. At the same time point, the tensile strength test was performed to measure the maximum load and the maximum tensile distance to observe the biomechanical properties. Results Twenty-eight rabbits were excluded from the study due to incision infection or death, and finally 12, 12, 12, and 16 rabbits in groups A-D were included in the study, respectively. After operation, the tendon-bone interface of groups A and B healed poorly, while group C healed well. At 6 and 12 weeks, the number of fibroblasts and positive expression rate of JNK protein in group C were significantly higher than those of groups A, B, and D (P<0.05). Compared with 6 weeks, the number of fibroblasts gradually decreased and the positive expression rate of JNK protein and AI decreased in group C at 12 weeks after operation, with significant differences (P<0.05). Biomechanical tests showed that the maximum loads at 6 and 12 weeks after operation in group C were higher than in groups A and B, but lower than those in group D, while the maximum tensile distance results were opposite, but the differences between groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion After ACL reconstruction, local injection of a mixture of KGN-ADSCs and fibrin glue can promote the tendon-bone healing and enhance the mechanical strength and tensile resistance of the tendon-bone interface.
Objective To investigate the relationship between the vertical distance from semitendinosus insertion to tibial plateau (S-T) and the physical characteristics of patients, in order to provide reference for incision design to expose the semitendinosus insertion. Methods The patients with ligament injury who underwent primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between January 2022 and December 2022 were selected as the research subjects. The patients’ baseline data were collected, including age, gender, height, and body mass. During reconstruction operation, the S-T was measured. Considering the S-T as the dependent variable and baseline data as the independent variable, multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish a regression equation to determine the possible influencing factors of semitendinosus insertion location. Results According to the selection standard, a total of 214 patients were enrolled, including 156 males and 58 females, aged (27±9) years (14-49 years), with a height of (174.7±6.8) cm (range, 160-196 cm) and a body mass of (73.43±12.35) kg (range, 53-105 kg). The S-T was (56.36±3.61) mm (range, 47-67 mm). The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the height was positively correlated with S-T (β=0.407, SE=0.055, t=7.543, P<0.001); the regression equation was S-T=?14.701+0.407×height, R2=0.690. ConclusionThere was a linear relationship between the height and semitendinosus insertion. The location of semitendinosus insertion estimated by the formula (S-T=?14.701+0.407×height) is reasonable, which provides a theoretical basis for rapid, accurate, and safe location of semitendinosus insertion and design of surgical incision in clinic.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction mostly relies on the experience of surgeons. To improve the effectiveness and adaptability of the tension after ACL reconstruction in knee joint rehabilitation, this paper establishes a lateral force measurement model with relaxation characteristics and designs an on-line stiffness measurement system of ACL. In this paper, we selected 20 sheep knee joints as experimental material for the knee joint stability test before the ACL reconstruction operation, which were divided into two groups for a comparative test of single-bundle ACL reconstruction through the anterolateral approach. The first group of surgeons carried out intraoperative detection with routine procedures. The second group used ACL on-line stiffness measurement system for intraoperative detection. After that, the above two groups were tested for postoperative stability. The study results show that the tension accuracy is (? 2.3 ± 0.04)%, and the displacement error is (1.5 ± 1.8)%. The forward stability, internal rotation stability, and external rotation stability of the two groups were better than those before operation (P < 0.05). But the data of the group using the system were closer to the preoperative knee joint measurement index, and there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). The system established in this paper is expected to help clinicians judge the ACL reconstruction tension in the operation process and effectively improve the surgical effect.
Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods Between August 2014 and August 2016, 42 patients with ACL ruptures who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients received graft soaked with PRP (trial group) and 21 patients received routine graft in ACL reconstruction (control group). Because 6 patients failed to be followed up, 17 patients of trial group and 19 of control group were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, injury reason, disease duration, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity scores between 2 groups (P>0.05). VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were used to evaluate pain and function at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Further, second arthroscopy and MRI examination were performed at 12 months postoperatively. Results The patients in both groups were followed up 3 to 12 months with an average of 9.83 months. The VAS score, Lysholm score, and IKDC activity scores were significantly improved at 3 and 12 months after operation in 2 groups (P<0.05), and the scores of trial group were significantly better than those of control group at 3 months (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 12 months (P>0.05). No complications of effusion, infection, and allergy were observed in 2 groups during follow-up. MRI showed good position of ACL grafts and good signal quality of the graft in the majority of the cases. However, mixed hyperintense and presence of synovial fluid at the femoral bone-tendon graft interface were found in 3 patients of trial group and 4 patients of control group, indicating poor remodeling ligamentation. MRI score was 3.53±1.13 in trial group and was 3.21±0.92 in control group, showing no significant difference (t=0.936,P=0.356). The second arthroscopy examination showed ligament remodeling score was higher in trial group than control group (t=3.248,P=0.014), but no significant difference was found in synovial coverage score and the incidence of cartilage repair (t=2.190,P=0.064;χ2=0.090,P=0.764). Conclusion PRP application in allograft ACL reconstruction can improve knee function and relieve pain after operation, which may also accelerate graft remodeling.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision in the treatment of patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased posterior tibial slope (PTS). Methods The clinical data of 9 patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased PTS (≥17°) who met the selection criteria between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 1 female; the age ranged from 21 to 42 years, with a median age of 30 years. Lachman test was positive in 9 patients. Pivot-shift test was negative in 6 cases, degree Ⅰ positive in 2 cases, and degree Ⅱ positive in 1 case. The PTS was (17.78±1.09)° and the anterior tibial translation (ATT) was (11.58±1.47) mm. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 51.0±3.8, Lysholm score was 49.7±4.6, and Tegner score was 3.7±0.7. The time from primary reconstruction to revision was 12-33 months, with an average of 19.6 months. Slope-reducing tibial osteotomy and ACL revision were performed. The improvement of knee function was evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score; Lachman test and Pivot-shift test were used to evaluate the stability of knee joint. PTS and ATT were measured to observe the morphological changes of knee joint. Results All the incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as incision infection, fat liquefaction, necrosis, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities, and neurovascular injury. All 9 patients were followed up 12-36 months, with an average of 25.8 months. At last follow-up, Lachman test and pivot-shift test were negative. IKDC score was 85.0±4.0, Lysholm score was 87.7±2.8, Tegner score was 6.8±0.7, PTS reduced to (9.89±0.60)°, and ATT shortened to (0.91±0.29) mm, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). ConclusionSlope-reducing tibial osteotomy and ACL revision in the treatment of patients with primary ACL reconstruction failure and abnormally increased PTS has a satisfactory short-term effectiveness. It can improve the stability of knee joint and maintain the normal shape of knee joint.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on the apex of deep cartilage (ADC) combined with patient imaging data. Methods Between January 2021 and January 2022, a total of 40 patients with primary ACL rupture were selected and randomly divided into study group (ACL reconstruction assisted by personalized femoral locator based on ADC) and control group (ACL reconstruction assisted by intraoperative fluoroscopy and traditional femoral locator), with 20 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, affected side, cause of injury, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score between the two groups (P>0.05). IKDC score, Lyshlom score, and Tegner score were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the affected knee before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed before and after operation to measure the horizontal distance from ADC to the anterior cartilage margin (L) and the horizontal distance from ADC to the center of the femoral canal (I), and the anteroposterior position of the bone canal (R) was calculated by I/L; the distance from the center to the distal cartilage margin (D) was measured on the two-dimensional cross section; the R value and D value were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time of the study group was significantly less than that of the control group [MD=?6.90 (?8.78, ?5.03), P<0.001]. The incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and no complication such as intra-articular infection, nerve injury, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs occurred. There was no significant difference in the R value and D value between the preoperative simulated positioning and the actual intraoperative positioning in the study group [MD=0.52 (?2.85, 3.88), P=0.758; MD=0.36 (?0.39, 1.11), P=0.351]. There was no significant difference in the actual intraoperative positioning R value and D value between the study group and the control group [MD=1.01 (?2.57, 4.58), P=0.573; MD=0.24 (?0.34, 0.82), P=0.411]. The patients in both groups were followed up 12-13 months (mean, 12.4 months). The IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score of the two groups increased gradually with time, and there were significant differences between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion The personalized femoral locator based on ADC can accurately assist the femoral tunnel positioning in ACL reconstruction, which can shorten the operation time when compared with traditional surgical methods, and achieve satisfactory early effectiveness.
Objective To investigate whether different degrees of primary varus knee affect joint function and stability in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A clinical data of 160 patients with primary varus knee, who were admitted between January 2020 and December 2021 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction using autologous single-bundle hamstring tendon. Patients were divided into three groups based on the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA): group A (64 patients with HKA 0°-3°), group B (55 patients with HKA 3°-6°), and group C (41 patients with HKA 6°-9°). Except for the significant difference in HKA among the three groups (P<0.05), baseline data such as age, gender, affected side, body mass index, interval between injury and operation, Kellgren-Lawrence grading, posterior tibial slope, proportion of combined meniscal injuries, Tegner score, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) objective score, anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, and the results of KT1000 (side-to-side difference, SSD) showed no significant difference (P>0.05). At last follow-up, joint stability was assessed through the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, and SSD; joint function was evaluated using the Tegner score, Lysholm score, and IKDC objective score. Results All incisions in the three groups healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 24-31 months, with an average of 26 months; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time among the three groups (Z=0.675, P=0.714). At last follow-up, the knee stability and functional assessment indicators in each group significantly improved when compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05); there was no significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05) in terms of the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, IKDC objective scores, and the changes of the Lysholm scores and Tegner scores. The Kellgren-Lawrence grading and HKA at last follow-up were consistent with preoperative results in the three groups. ConclusionVarying degrees of primary varus knee do not affect early knee joint stability and functional recovery after ACL reconstruction, and there is no significant difference in effectiveness between different degrees of varus knee.
